New businesses in the city, a new firehouse, helping Lake Lawn Resort get re-established and the city's strategic planning process were some of the things he's happy to have been a part of.

Nieuwenhuis stressed that it was a complete council effort to help those projects succeed.

“It's not like it was just me, it's the council who that got it done,” Nieuwenhuis said. “I've been able to work with the council.”

Nieuwenhuis said his work with the council has been especially rewarding in the past four years.

“We might have had some disagreement, but we vote, and they move on to the next issue,” Nieuwenhuis said.

The council has been able to keep taxes in check, too, and that has been a challenge during the economic downturn.

“We've been holding the line on taxes,” Nieuwenhuis said. “They've been the same for three years.”

Nieuwenhuis said he was grateful for all the support he received from voters.

This is the second time that Nieuwenhuis faced Schroeder in an election. The two have served together at City Hall for more than a decade, and Schroeder lost to Nieuwenhuis in the 2012 mayoral election, as well.

Schroeder, who works as chief of staff for state Rep. Josh Zepnick, D-Milwaukee, will retain his seat on the city council.